Feeling truly welcome. We think we know the feeling until someone steps beyond our expectations to greet us, and their sincere enthusiasm makes us catch our breath, as was the case when we arrived at Kingsford The Barossa.
As we made our way down the tree-lined driveway, raindrops cascading down our windscreen, toward the stunning two-storey, 168-year-old, Georgian-style sandstone house, we saw our smiling, smartly clad Kingsford hosts, Martin and Maddy, waving their hellos as they stepped into the rain beneath vast umbrellas, soon to protect us from the rain. It felt delightfully Downton Abby-ish, without the regal stuffiness.



We soon found ourselves lounging back upon a sofa beside a wood fire, sipping Croser NV Traditional Method sparkling wine, while Maddy guided us through our ‘Barossa Indulgence Package’ weekend itinerary. From a relaxing property tour to a charcuterie beside a fire pit, a bush bath and a series of meals in Orleana Restaurant, including a 7-course ‘History of Kingsford’ degustation and more. We knew we were in for something extraordinary.
Within minutes, we were swept away by a river of indulgences. Our first port of call was our Valley View suite, one of the premium options now available to guests thanks to Kingsford The Barossa’s recent two-year multi-million-dollar redevelopment. The Valley View suites provide a refreshing, contemporary contrast to the famed, heritage-laced rooms in the original homestead.
Upon entering this generously appointed cocoon of calm, our eyes swam over the soothing palette of gentle coral pink hues blended with neutral tones such as nature-based birch, a myriad of pebble greys, and pale cream sands. The open-plan bedroom flowed into the lavish lounge suite and through the vast glass doors, past our private plunge pool, towards an ocean of undulating green hills.
Martin escorted us through the features of our suite, within which everything functioned at the push of a button, including the television that descended into a credenza, allowing us a full view of the landscape from our king-size bed. As impressive as the TV was, it never re-appeared thanks to the ever-changing scenery before us.
Willy-Wag-Tails darted about our ankles while Cockatiels swirled and squawked above. Kangaroos bounded over the hills, and wild Hares scurried between the bushes. A herd of placid cows grazed upon the distant hills as Mother Nature captivated us with her performance of winter moods in the skies above.





Within the hour, we found ourselves amid that scenery, thanks to Brendan Proctor, aka “Brenno”, a man who cannot be defined by function and seemed to be in all the places simultaneously, tending to gardens and guests alike with boundless energy and a huge sense of fun.
Trundling us into his “mule,” an All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV), he took us on a tour of the 225-acre property, sharing the fascinating history of the homestead, the property’s flora and fauna, and the local Indigenous people’s custodianship of the land along the way. Amid the many beautiful buildings, rooms, and landscapes, one space that resonated with me was the old shearing shed.
While one half has been beautifully restored for lovers of divinely character-infused events, such as weddings, the other remains in its raw, original state for lovers of Australia’s unique sheep shearing history. With wood-planked floors, rickety gates and the oil from the sheep wool still gracing the walls, I was immediately transported into Australian Impressionist Tom Roberts’ “Shearing the Rams”.



Once the location of Nine Network’s award-winning drama series McLeod’s Daughters, Kingsford The Barossa has seen many fans worldwide make the pilgrimage to pay tribute to the characters and tales they once loved so much. Although I’ve not watched the show, after hearing so much about the memories and moments Brenno has shared with McLeod’s Daughters fans, it’s now on my list of shows to binge!
With the sun setting on our first day, we returned to the homestead and ducked into The Vault, where a supreme collection of wine is stored and wine tastings are held, before heading to the in-house bowling alley, the Kegelbahn, to enjoy a fun and fast game of Berlin’s beloved Kegelbahnen (9 pin bowling) while sipping on a zesty Watermelon Margarita.


With ample time for relaxation and solitude incorporated into our itinerary, we kicked back in our suite while awaiting our much-anticipated “History of Kingsford” 7-course degustation in Orleana Restaurant, a culinary haven for fine-dining foodies who view seasonal, local produce as integral to their experience and appreciation of a destination.
This themed indulgence is Head Chef Joel Cugley’s celebration of Kingsford The Barossa’s delicious history, using South Australian produce, particularly from the Barossa and the produce garden we’d only just explored on the property.
Maître d’ and Sommelier David D’Cruze’s deep love and knowledge of wine guided us through each course. His tips and insights expanded our appreciation of each superb dish beyond measure.
David’s food and wine matching expertise doesn’t anchor you to a menu or a label. Instead, he educates, inspires, and imbues you with a knowledge that forever shifts your appreciation of wine with his creative flair, expressive manner and sincere devotion to his craft.



It is fair to say that every Kingford The Barossa team member we met during our stay made us feel as if we were the only guests they were looking after. They were genuinely invested in our enjoyment and interested in what would bring us comfort and joy in that moment.
The more we chatted with them, the sooner we realised we were surrounded by an elite hospitality team, with a collective portfolio of working in hospitality benchmark-setters such as The Ritz (London), Sapphire (Tasmania), Longitude 131 (Uluru), Southern Ocean Lodge (Kangaroo Island), and Adelaide’s Penfolds, Sequoia, Mayflower, Fino, El Estanco and beyond.
With our final bite of a deconstructed Trevaillie Orchard Apple crumble, we left Orleana Restaurant feeling tipsy, happy and devoted to diving into our private, heated plunge pool. Wrapped up in our Kingsford The Barossa dressing gowns, we tip-toed into the frosty night and slid into the soul-soothing warm water.
With the Milky Way as our ceiling and a symphony of bleating sheep as our soundtrack, we soaked up every blissful moment of this extraordinary experience.



The following day, we awoke feeling rested and eager to head back into Orleana Restaurant for a hearty breakfast to prepare us for another day of hedonistic torpor, commencing with a moment I’ll never forget.
Amid a secluded, exclusive-access-only location in the bush, I soaked in a vintage clawfoot bath surrounded by bushland. Steaming water kept me warm, and Louis Roederer Collection 245 Champagne kept me chilled as birds tweeted greetings from the canopy. It was sublime.
From the bath to the billabong: Once dry and clothed, Joel accompanied us to an extravagant picnic alongside a billabong. Wooden lounge chairs, blankets, and a bottle of Kaesler Barbera Vintage 201 awaited us, while Brenno stood by a huge firepit, stoking it to life.


Joel guided us through his lavish charcuterie of cheeses, deli meats, native plants, olives, and other delicacies before leaving us to prepare lunch for his Orleana Restaurant guests (some of whom arrived in a chartered helicopter – we raised a glass of “cheers” to them as they hovered nearby).
Just when we thought the moment couldn’t be more perfect, Brenno stepped forward and recited a breathtaking, heartfelt rendition of “My Country” (the full version) while the smoke from the eucalyptus leaves and Redwood gum in the pit encircled him:
“I love a sunburnt country, a land of sweeping plains, of ragged mountain ranges, of droughts and flooding rains…. “
He then left us with a walkie-talkie and instructions to relax and take all the time we wanted. He’d be there to pick us up whenever we desired.
We remained there for over two hours, watching the fire, sipping wine, nibbling and chatting. Given we were camped by a billabong, it goes without saying that “Waltzing Maltilda” was sung with wine-laced confidence!
With the sun setting, we returned to our suite and prepared for another night of culinary splendour with a sensational A La Carte meal of Wagyu and Barramundi, partnered with Kingfish Sashimi and Scotch Eggs as sides and Silken Chocolate Mousse for dessert.
With tummies full and souls soothed, we signed off, dreaming the dreams of the people with not a care in the world. Utter bliss. We will be back!

Now it’s time to spoil yourself with the ‘Barossa Indulgence Package’ at Kingsford The Barossa.
From $599* per night, with a $150 retreat credit to spend during your stay as part of the Barossa
Indulgence Package: You can contribute towards a fine dining journey, an in-room spa pampering, a bush bath, wine tasting in The Vault, a gourmet picnic, an ATV tour, or dinner and drinks at Orleana Restaurant.
- Luxury overnight accommodation in a boutique suite
- Daily a-la-carte breakfast in Orleana Restaurant
- A welcome bottle of wine on arrival and
- A $150 retreat credit to spend during your stay
This special offer is available to book until 24 July 2024 and is valid for 12 months from purchase. For more information, including Terms and Conditions, please visit Kingsford The Barossa.
All you need to know about Kingsford The Barossa:
What: Kingsford The Barossa luxury retreat
Where: 68 Kingsford Road, Kingsford
Phone: (+61) 08 8524 8120
Website: www.kingsfordbarossa.com.au
General Enquiries & Accommodation: [email protected]
Orleana Restaurant: [email protected]
Weddings: [email protected]
Corporate & Special Event Enquiries: [email protected]
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